And so onto Moses, one of my favorite characters: he who argues with God, says no to him, asks him his name and ultimately does his will and suffers for it.

Today’s chapters were Exodus 1-4. In these chapters, God introduces himself as Yahweh, or I AM. He also runs Moses through his plans to get the Israelites, now suffering as slaves, out of Egypt. The LORD also makes what must have seemed an improbably promise: you will carry all the wealth of Egypt out with you.

Moses says NO twice, but eventually agrees to go. On the way to Egypt he meets his brother Aaron, who is to be his mouthpiece, and also has a strange wrestle with God, where God means to kill him. But Moses’ wife Zipporah circumcises their son and touches Moses feet with the foreskin, so God spares Moses life.

What on earth does THAT mean?

Dear God, Thank you for being my Father, for telling us your name, for hearing our cries as you heard the cries of the Israelites. Help us to hear you, and obey you gladly. Please also give me discernment to know your voice when I hear it.

In the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,  Amen.